Inflated mattress



May 5, 1936. R. BERGERON INFLATED MATTRES S Filed May 25, 1954 gf WW Patented May 5, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT GFFICE INFLATED MATTRESS Application May 25, 1934, Serial No. 727,421 In Canada December 8, 1933 1 Claim.

The present invention pertains to a novel mattress which is inflated with air when in use. The principal objects are to provide a mattress which is firm and yet comparatively light in weight and which also occupies a small space when stored.

In keeping with these objects, the mattress embodies a casing or envelope adapted to contain a number of air-lled units. These units are independent of each other and separately inserted in the envelope, so that the puncturing or other damage of one unit does not render the whole mattress worthless, but merely requires replacement of only the one unit. It will be evident that when the mattress is stored away in a warehouse or in the home, the units may be deflated, as a result of which the mattress occupies a comparatively small storage space. This characteristic of the invention also results in reduced freight charges in shipping the mattress from manufacturer to dealer.

The units are of double width and divided into two equal compartments by means of a partition in each. Thus, a given degree of subdivision is attained by less than a corresponding number of units, and further, both compartments are inflated simultaneously through a single air inlet valve communicating with a notch in the corresponding end of the partition. The interior of the envelope is also divided by partitions, and these are extended or prolonged at one end in order to overlap and protect the corresponding ends of the filler units.

'I'he open end of the envelope is finally closed by means of a flap, and the above mentioned prolonged ends of the partitions lie between this flap and the air valves, thereby preventing the wearing of holes in the flap by the valve.

'Ihe invention is fully disclosed by way of example in the following description and in the accompanying drawing in which:-

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the envelope in open position;

Figure 2 is a cross section of the complete dev1ce;

Figure 3 is a plan section showing the flap in open position;

Figure 4 is a detail longitudinal section;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the complete device;

Figure 6 is a cross section of one of the filler tubes;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary vertical section of one of said tubes;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary plan section of one of said tubes; and

Figure 9 is a perspective view of one of said tubes.

Reference to these views will now be made by use of like characters which are employed to designate corresponding parts throughout. 5

Each filler tube or unit is a hollow rubber member I, oblong in shape when inflated, as clearly shown in Figure` 9. Each such member is divided internally by a lengthwise partition 2 which forms two equal spaces as may be seen in Figures 10 6 and 8. The forward end of each partition 2 is cut away as indicated by the numeral 3 in Figure 7, so that a single air inlet Valve 4, inserted in the center of the forward Wall of the unit, serves for the filling of both compartments at opposite l5 sides of the partition 2. Thus, an interior cellular construction is provided, with half the usual number of units for a given degree of subdivision and with half the usual number of air valves.

The envelope or casing is also an oblong mem- 20 ber, being equal in length and height to the unit I and wide enough to contain at least three such units side by side as may be seen in Figures 1,

2, and 3. The envelope is of two ply, consisting of an inner layer 5 of duck canvas and an outer 25 layer 6 also of a duck fabric. The interior of the envelope is divided by lengthwise partitions I forming pockets of such width as to receive respectively one of the units I. The partitions 'l are secured in place by being folded over at the edges and stitched to the top and bottom of the casing, as indicated by the numeral 8 in Figures 1 and 5.

One end of the envelope is obviously open to permit insertion of the units I, and the bottom of the envelope at this end is extended in the form of a flap 9 adapted to cover the open end and to fasten on the top by means of snaps I0.

The partitions I are extended outwardly beyond the open end of the envelope as indicated by the numeral II in Figure 1. After the units I have been inserted, the ends II are folded over the front end of the unit as shown in Figure 3, thereby protecting the same and covering the valves 4 so that the valves do not wear holes in 45 the flap 9.

It will now be evident that the invention provides an inflated mattress of durable construction and yet light in weight. When not in use, as when stored in a warehouse or put away in the home, it may be deated to occupy only a comparatively small space as distinguished by the large space taken up by a stuffed mattress. Further, the matter of assembling and inflating the mattress is simplified due to the fact that the filler units I are of double size, that is, each such unit having two equal compartments of square cross section and served by one valve.

Although a specic embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be understood that various alterations in the details of construction may be made without departing from the scope of the invention, as indicated by the appended claim.

What I claim is:-

A mattress comprising an envelope having an open end, ller units adapted to be inserted through said open end, a lling valve in the forward end of each unit, at the open end of said envelope, and lengthwise partitions in said envelope forming compartments adapted to receive said units respectively, the last named partitions being extended outwardly beyond the open end of the envelope and adapted to be folded over said valves at the forward ends of said units to protect said valves.

RODOLPHE BERGERON. 

